Process and system for enhanced depth penetration of an energy source

ABSTRACT

The method for enhanced depth penetration of energy into a formation may include mechanically stimulating the formation at a first frequency to induce mechanical stress in the formation and directing electromagnetic radiation towards the formation while mechanically stimulating the formation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application which claims priorityfrom U.S. provisional application Nos. 62/485,079, filed Apr. 13, 2017and 62/546,258 filed Aug. 16, 2017 both of which are incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD/FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to enhancing permeability ofenergy sources in formations. More particularly, the present disclosurerelates to enhancing depth penetration of energy sources in formations.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Several geophysical and petroleum engineering operations requiretechnologies utilizing energy directed at formations including groundpenetrating radar, oil well logging, petroleum exploration, and tertiaryrecovery. Tertiary recovery may be used to generate or increase theproduction of additional hydrocarbons from a formation by stimulatingthe formation. A variety of techniques exist in which the formation issubjected to electrical or thermal stimulation, which allows for theadditional production of hydrocarbons. Examples include the stimulationof the formation using microwave radiation, placement of electrodes inthe formation in order to stimulate production using electricalcurrents, and location of a thermal element within a wellbore to elevatethe formation temperature. The efficiency of energy directed at aformation may be determined by the penetration depth of the energy,which may be limited by frequency dependent dispersion, scattering, andwater content of the formation.

SUMMARY

A method for enhanced depth penetration of energy into a formation isdisclosed. The method may include mechanically stimulating the formationat a first frequency to induce mechanical stress in the formation, anddirecting electromagnetic radiation at a second frequency towards theformation while mechanically stimulating the formation, wherein thefirst frequency and the second frequency are the same or different.

A method for enhanced depth penetration of energy into a formation isdisclosed. The method may include directing electromagnetic radiationtowards the formation at a first frequency, and mechanically stimulatingthe formation while directing electromagnetic radiation at a secondfrequency at the formation, wherein the first frequency and the secondfrequency are the same or different.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is best understood from the following descriptionread with the accompanying figures. Various features are not drawn toscale. Dimensions of features may be arbitrarily increased or reducedfor clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram representation of a system consistent withcertain embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a graph of impedance versus frequency for a piezoelectricmedium near a resonance consistent with certain embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram representing an application of testingstimulation energy on a sample to determine a target frequencyconsistent with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of determining the target frequency ofa sample from a formation consistent with certain embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the application of stimulation energy of amedium to enhance depth penetration of the medium consistent withembodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure provides many different examples forimplementing different features of various embodiments. Specificexamples of components and arrangements are described to simplify thedisclosure. These examples are not limiting. The disclosure may repeatreference numerals or letters in the examples. This repetition is forsimplicity and clarity and does not dictate a relationship between theembodiments or configurations.

In certain embodiments, the penetration depth of a medium is a measureof how deep an energy applied to the medium, such as electromagneticenergy, can penetrate into a medium. The penetration depth of a mediummay be defined as the depth at which the intensity of an energy waveinside the medium falls to 1/e of the energy wave intensity's originalvalue at the surface where the energy wave was actuated. As energy isapplied to a medium, such as a formation, the energy waves may sufferattenuation, dispersion, and absorption causing decay in the energywaves traversing the medium. The wavelength of an energy wave decreaseswith increasing frequency and the depth of penetration is dependent onthe attenuation of the energy wave in terms of wavelength. An energywave at a lower frequency will travel a greater distance to penetrateone wavelength into a medium than an energy wave of high frequency.Without being bound by theory, penetration depth may be inverselyproportional to the frequency of a stimulation energy applied to amedium.

As depicted in FIG. 1, formation 102 is penetrated by wellbore 104.Formation 102 may be a subsurface formation. Formation 102 may exhibitseismoelectric properties, piezoelectric properties, or both. In certainembodiments, formation 102 may contain piezoelectric elements such aspiezoelectric crystals that may have piezoelectric characteristics. Insome embodiments, formation 102 includes quartz or silicone dioxide. Incertain embodiments, formation 102 does not include quartz or siliconedioxide.

The application of mechanical stress to formation 102 may result inmodulation of the resistivity and thus impedance of the formation.Similarly, where quartz or silicone dioxide is present, the applicationof a mechanical stress may also produce an electric polarization that isproportional to the mechanical stress. In some embodiments, thepiezoelectric properties of a quartz-bearing formation in a drysubstrate or seismo-electromagnetic properties of a non-quartz-bearingformation in a wet substrate may be used to enhance the penetration ofenergy into the formation. Movement of fluid through any medium thatpossesses piezoelectric properties may be increased by increasing thepermeability of the medium or increasing the permeability of apreselected portion of the medium.

One or more sensors 110 may be disposed in wellbore 104. In someembodiments, one or more sensors 110 may be mechanical stresstransducers, electromagnetic energy sensors, or both. In someembodiments, one or more sensors 110 may be electrically and datacoupled with controller 112. One or more sensors 110 may detect at leastone of frequency, magnitude, and depth of penetration of mechanical,acoustic and/or electromagnetic stress induced on formation 102, thepresence of dynamic polarization of piezoelectric crystals in formation102, the presence of streaming potentials in formation 102, theimpedance of formation 102, and permeability of formation 102, referredto herein as “stress data.” Stress data may also include calculatedimpedance. One or more sensors 110 may include a transmitter ortransceiver to communicate stress data to controller 112. Controller 112may include tangible, non-transitory, computer readable memory media forstorage of computer program instructions for carrying out one or moreoperations as described herein below. In some embodiments, controller112 may be electrically coupled with mechanical or acoustic stimulationsource 106, electromagnetic wave generator 114, or both. Controller 112may store stress data.

Mechanical stimulation source 106 may mechanically stimulate formation102 by directing mechanical stimulation energy 108 towards formation102. Mechanical stimulation source 106 may be on the surface, insidewellbore 104, or in formation 102. Non-limiting examples of a mechanicalstimulation source 106 include a vibrator such as a piezoelectricgenerator, frac fluid with oscillating pressure waves, a vibration truckand a plasma sound source. Mechanical stimulation energy 108 may includemechanical energy, acoustic energy, vibrational energy, and seismicenergy. Mechanical stimulation energy 108 may have a specific frequencyand magnitude.

Electromagnetic wave generator 114 may be electrically coupled withcontroller 112. Electromagnetic wave generator 114 may generate anddirect electromagnetic radiation 116 towards formation 102.Electromagnetic wave generator 114 may be on the surface, insidewellbore 104, coupled to a drill string, or in formation 102.

In first embodiment, electromagnetic radiation 116 is directed toformation 102 sequentially after mechanical stimulation energy 108 isfirst directed to formation 102. In a second embodiment, mechanicalstimulation energy 108 is directed to formation 102 sequentially afterelectromagnetic radiation 116 is first directed to formation 102. Thedescription hereinafter is directed to the first embodiment, but appliessimilarly to the second embodiment.

In the first embodiment, mechanical stimulation energy 108 is directedinto formation 102. The specific frequency of mechanical stimulationenergy 108 may be chosen to match a desired penetration depth intoformation 102. Mechanical stimulation energy 108 may induce mechanicalstress on formation 102. In some embodiments, mechanical stimulationenergy 108 may cause vibration in formation 102. Mechanical stressinduced by mechanical stimulation energy 108 may cause dynamicpolarization of piezoelectric elements (where present) in formation 102.In some embodiments, mechanical stress induced by mechanical stimulationenergy 108 may cause streaming potentials in formation 102 according tothe seismo-electromagnetic characteristics of mechanical stimulationenergy 108. The dynamic polarization, streaming potentials or acombination thereof in formation 102 may cause an electrical impedanceof formation 102 to be reduced, such as that due to the piezoelectriceffect, seismo-electromagnetic effect, or combination thereof.

While mechanical stress is being induced by mechanical stimulation offormation 102, formation 102 may be subjected to electromagneticradiation 116. The reduction of electrical impedance of formation 102 bymechanical stimulation of formation 102 may allow greater depthpenetration of electromagnetic radiation 116.

In certain embodiments, determining the seismoelectric characteristics,piezoelectric characteristics, and combinations thereof of formation 102may be desirable. The seismoelectric characteristics, piezoelectriccharacteristics, and combinations thereof of formation 102 may bedetermined from a sample of formation 102. The sample may be subjectedto a mechanical stress at a variety of frequencies to determine a targetfrequency, where the target frequency is at or near a minimum impedance.In certain embodiments, such as where piezoelectric crystals arepresent, the mechanical stress may be subjected to a variety offrequencies to determine piezoelectric resonance, or resonance of thesample or any of its components where impedance is at or near a minimumor at or near zero. Values of the target frequency may be determinedfrom mathematical modeling or testing on a representative sample offormation 102. Results of testing on the sample of formation 102 mayyield values for induced mechanical stress, impedance minimizingfrequencies, resonant frequencies, and the influence of orientation ofthe induced mechanical stress.

FIG. 2 is a graph of impedance versus frequency for a piezoelectricmedium near a resonance frequency where resonant frequency, f_(r), atthe point of minimum impedance and an anti-resonant frequency, f_(a), atthe point of maximum impedance consistent with certain embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates testing system 300 for determining the mechanicalstress on sample 302 from formation 102. Sample 302 may be stimulatedwith mechanical stress from mechanical stress generator 304 resulting inelectrical energy. Transducer 306 measures the frequency and magnitudeof induced mechanical stress, the amplitude of electrical energygenerated by sample 302, the presence of dynamic polarization ofpiezoelectric crystals (where present), and permeability of the sample302. The mechanical stress input of mechanical stress generator 304 isadjusted until the amplitude of electrical energy reduces the impedanceof sample 302. The frequency of the induced mechanical stress whenimpedance is reduced to a target frequency may be measured. In certainembodiments, the target frequency may be at or near the resonantfrequency of sample 302. If additional response is needed,electromagnetic radiation 116 may be applied to sample 302 fromelectromagnetic source 308; in certain embodiments, electromagneticradiation 116 may be tuned to match the resonant frequency of sample302.

To determine the target frequency of sample 302, sample 302 may bemechanically stressed at a frequency estimated by mathematical modelingor otherwise pre-determined. FIG. 4 is a flowchart representation of amethod of determining a target frequency of sample 302 such as fromformation 102. Sample 302 of formation 102 may be obtained (402). Sample302 may be tested by applying variable frequencies of mechanicalstimulation energy 108 to sample 302, thereby inducing mechanical stress(404). The stress data may be monitored and recorded (406). Sample 302may be monitored to determine whether sample 302 is at or near a minimumimpedance (408). If not, the frequency and magnitude of mechanicalstimulation energy 108 may be altered and sample 302 may be retested(410). In some embodiments, if sample 302 is not at or near a minimumimpedance, the mechanical stimulation energy 108 may be adjusted. Ifsample 302 is at or near minimum impedance, the frequency andcharacteristics of the mechanical stress, including frequency andmagnitude of the stimulating energy, may be recorded (412). In someembodiments, optimized permeability may be monitored. In such anembodiment, if permeability is optimized, the frequency andcharacteristics of the mechanical stress may be recorded. Ifpermeability is not optimized, the frequency of the mechanical stressmay be altered, and the testing of sample 302 may continue until themaximum effect of the mechanical stress is determined. In certainembodiments, the minimum impedance may correspond to the resonantfrequency of sample 302.

Stimulation of the medium may be done from any point within, on, oroutside the medium. For example, if the sample 302 testing demonstratedany recurrent orientation of the piezoelectric crystals in the mediumother than random, the stimulating foci may be placed to maximize theeffect. As with sample 302 testing operations, transducers 306 may beused to feedback amplitudes and frequencies of vibration from themechanical stress on the medium.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart representation of the application of mechanicalstimulation energy 108 by mechanical stimulation source 106 on a mediumsuch as formation 102 to enhance depth penetration of the medium.Formation 102 may be mechanically stimulated by mechanical stimulationenergy 108 (502). In some embodiments, mechanical stimulation energy 108may be applied to formation 102 at a first frequency to induce amechanical stress in formation 102. In some embodiments, the firstfrequency may be at a specific, predetermined frequency (such as thatdetermined by mathematical modeling), or experimentally-derivedfrequency. In certain embodiments, prior to or while applying mechanicalstimulation energy 108, a high amplitude mechanical energy impulse maybe applied to formation 102. The high amplitude mechanical energyimpulse may be applied by mechanical stimulation source 106, or by adifferent mechanical stimulation source.

One or more sensors 110 may be disposed in formation 102 and stress datamay be gathered and monitored (504). In some embodiments, stress dataincluding frequency and magnitude of induced mechanical stimulationenergy 108, the amplitude of electrical energy generated by formation102, the presence of dynamic polarization of piezoelectric crystals information 102, the presence of streaming potentials in the formation102, the depth of penetration of mechanical stimulation energy 108, theimpedance of formation 102, and permeability of formation 102 may begathered and monitored. In certain embodiments, impedance may bemeasured directly.

The stress data may be sent to controller 112 (506). Formation 102 maybe monitored by controller 112 using one or more sensors 110 todetermine whether dynamic polarization of the piezoelectric crystals orcreation of streaming potentials in formation 102 has occurred toachieve minimum impedance or near minimum impedance (508). In certainembodiments, resonance may be achieved when the impedance of formation102 is reduced, or near zero. If minimum impedance is not achieved, thefirst frequency may be increased or decreased based on the stress data(510). In some embodiments, if minimum impedance is not achieved, themagnitude of the mechanical stimulation energy 108 may be increased ordecreased based on the stress data.

If minimum impedance or near minimum impedance is achieved, the depthpenetration of a subsequent applied energy may be enhanced due to thereduction of impedance. In some embodiments, if minimum impedance ornear minimum impedance is achieved, electromagnetic radiation 116 may bedirected towards formation 102 (512). In some embodiments,electromagnetic radiation 116 may be directed towards formation 102while mechanical stimulation energy 108 is applied to formation 102. Insome embodiments, electromagnetic radiation 116 may be directed towardsformation 102 sequentially. In some embodiments, electromagneticradiation 116 may be directed towards formation 102 after mechanicalstimulation energy 108 is applied to formation 102. In some embodiments,electromagnetic radiation 116 may be applied to formation 102 at asecond frequency. The second frequency, magnitude of electromagneticradiation 116, and the effect of the second frequency on formation 102including at least the depth penetration of electromagnetic radiation116 and permeability of formation 102, referred to herein as“penetration efficiency data,” may also be monitored by one or moresensors 110. The penetration efficiency data may be sent to controller112 (514).

Formation 102 may be monitored by controller 112 using one or moresensors 110 to determine whether an optimum or pre-determined depthpenetration has occurred (516). In some embodiments, optimum depthpenetration occurs where the second frequency is the resonant frequencyof the piezoelectric crystals in formation 102, formation 102 itself, orany component of formation 102. In some embodiments, a resonantfrequency of formation 102 may be identified by testing a sample 302 offormation 102 and the optimum depth penetration occurs where the secondfrequency is the resonant frequency of formation 102. In someembodiments, optimum depth penetration occurs where the first frequencyand second frequency are harmonically related. When the first frequencyand second frequency are harmonically related, frequency dependentdispersion of the electromagnetic radiation may be minimized. In someembodiments, the respective frequencies where the first frequency andsecond frequency are harmonically related may be determined by testing asample 302 of formation 102. If optimum depth penetration has notoccurred, the second frequency may be increased or decreased to achieveoptimum depth penetration in formation 102 (518).

In some embodiments, when the frequency of mechanical stimulation energy108, the first frequency, on the medium or formation 102 reaches minimumor near minimum impedance, formation 102 may be further stimulated byelectromagnetic radiation at a second frequency. The second frequencymay be the resonant frequency of formation 102 causing vibration offormation 102. Fatigue fractures may occur throughout formation 102 thusincreasing the fracture porosity and permeability of formation 102 ingeneral, which may facilitate the movement of fluid through it. Thefriction caused by the vibration may increase the temperature offormation 102 lowering the viscosity of the fluids within formation 102allowing for easier extraction. One or more sensors 110 may be utilizedto monitor the amount of vibration within formation 102 and the amountof flow of the fluid from formation 102. In some embodiments, afteradding the electromagnetic energy at a second frequency, the frequencyof the mechanical energy may be altered, such as to maintain a minimumor near minimum impedance during formation stimulus.

In some embodiments, the second frequency may be the resonant frequencyof the fluids in formation 102, including water or hydrocarbons causingan increase in temperature of the fluids in formation 102. The increasein temperature of the fluids in formation 102 may lower the viscosity ofthe fluids within formation 102 allowing for greater flow betweenfractures and easier extraction.

In some embodiments, fluids may be lifted from formation 102 utilizingconventional technologies such as artificial or gas lift technologies tolift fluid and hydrocarbons to the surface for further processing. Insome embodiments, conventional water flooding technologies may beutilized to direct the flow of hydrocarbon bearing fluids within ahydrocarbon bearing zone. In some embodiments, the frequency of themechanical stimulation and the electromagnetic radiation applied toformation 102 is adjusted to increase and optimize vibration which isinduced in formation 102 and flow of the target substance of formation102.

Example

Quartz rich, carbonate rich, and clay rich rock samples with highporosity (˜30%) and low porosity shale rock samples were selected. Thepore space in the rock samples was saturated with 100% air, 100 water,and 100% oil. Three different oil samples were used to prepare oilsaturated rock samples. The oil samples were selected based on microwaveabsorption properties with high polarity, low polarity, and moderatepolarity. The air, water, and oil saturated rock samples were irradiatedelectromagnetically at frequencies ranging from 1 to 6 GHz underpressure. At the end of each test, the dielectric constant (ε′), lossindex (ε″), and loss tangent of test mediums were measured with anetwork analyzer. Electromagnetic wave penetration was calculated foreach case.

Electromagnetic wave penetration was determined to be frequencydependent. With lower frequencies, higher penetration depth was obtainedfor all samples. Air saturated rock samples had poor electromagneticwave penetration depth regardless of the mineralogy due to enhancedelectromagnetic wave scattering in air. For water and oil saturatedrocks and for air saturated shale samples with high quartz content,electromagnetic wave penetration was significantly higher. The lossindex and loss tangent of materials appeared to determine theeffectiveness of electromagnetic wave penetration and loss index andloss tangent were also affected by the oil composition. The ratio of thepolar groups (resins to asphaltenes) in crude oil appeared to determinethe magnitude of loss index and loss tangent. As the resins toasphlatenes ratio increased, the electromagnetic wave absorption wasenhanced. Further, the deeper the reservoir the more effective theelectromagnetic wave penetration due to increased pressure.

The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that a personof ordinary skill in the art may better understand the aspects of thepresent disclosure. Such features may be replaced by any one of numerousequivalent alternatives, only some of which are disclosed herein. One ofordinary skill in the art may readily use the present disclosure as abasis for designing or modifying other processes and structures forcarrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages ofthe embodiments introduced herein. One of ordinary skill in the art maymake various changes, substitutions, and alterations without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

1. A method for enhanced depth penetration of energy into a formationcomprising: mechanically stimulating the formation at a first frequencyto induce mechanical stress in the formation; and directingelectromagnetic radiation at a second frequency towards the formationwhile mechanically stimulating the formation, wherein the firstfrequency and the second frequency are the same or different.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein mechanically stimulating the formationcomprises directing mechanical energy towards the formation.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein mechanically stimulating the formationcomprises directing acoustic energy towards the formation.
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein the first frequency is a resonant frequency ofpiezoelectric crystals in the formation, the formation itself, or anycomponent of the formation.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprisingdisposing one or more sensors in the formation and gathering stressdata.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising sending stress datato a controller.
 7. The method of claim 7, further comprising increasingor decreasing the first frequency based on the stress data.
 8. Themethod of claim 7, wherein the mechanical stimulation comprises amagnitude and the method further comprising increasing or decreasing themagnitude based on the stress data.
 9. The method of claim 1, whereinthe electromagnetic radiation is directed towards the formation aftermechanically stimulating the formation.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein the method further comprising identifying a resonant frequencyof the formation and increasing or decreasing the second frequency tomatch the resonant frequency of the formation, wherein the secondfrequency is the same or different from the first frequency.
 11. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic radiation comprises asecond frequency and the method further comprising identifying aharmonically related frequency of the formation and increasing ordecreasing the first frequency and second frequency to match theharmonically related frequency of the formation.
 12. A method forenhanced depth penetration of energy into a formation comprising:directing electromagnetic radiation towards the formation at a firstfrequency; and mechanically stimulating the formation while directingelectromagnetic radiation at a second frequency at the formation,wherein the first frequency and the second frequency are the same ordifferent.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein mechanically stimulatingthe formation comprises directing mechanical energy towards theformation.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein mechanically stimulatingthe formation comprises directing acoustic energy towards the formation.15. The method of claim 12, wherein the first frequency is a resonantfrequency of the piezoelectric crystals in the formation.
 16. The methodof claim 12, further comprising disposing one or more sensors in theformation and gathering stress data.
 17. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising sending stress data to a controller.
 18. The method of claim17, further comprising increasing or decreasing the first frequencybased on the stress data.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein theelectromagnetic radiation comprises an amplitude and the method furthercomprising increasing or decreasing the amplitude based on the stressdata.
 20. The method of claim 12, wherein the formation is mechanicallystimulated after the electromagnetic radiation is directed towards theformation.
 21. The method of claim 12, wherein the mechanicalstimulation of the formation comprises a second frequency and the methodfurther comprising identifying a resonant frequency of the formation andincreasing or decreasing the second frequency to match the resonantfrequency of the formation.
 22. The method of claim 12, the mechanicalstimulation of the formation comprises a second frequency and the methodfurther comprising identifying a harmonically related frequency of theformation and increasing or decreasing the first frequency and secondfrequency to match the harmonically related frequency of the formation.